Government

As of June 11, 57 percent of South Fulton residents had responded to the 2020 U.S. Census. Officials have set a goal of 80 percent, and recently announced plans to hold a virtual town hall and launch a contest to encourage participation. According to a press release, the virtual town hall will be streamed on the city's YouTube channel on June 16 at 6 p.m. Residents can submit questions in advance by emailing Deloris Baskin at [email protected]. Participants will include: Mayor William “Bill” Edwards; Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs; Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis; Fulton County Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Fran Calhoun; Regional Census Partnership Specialist Floyd Holland; South Fulton Chamber President and CEO Dyan Matthews; and Fulton County District 6 Sc...

City of South Fulton officials have unveiled a tentative plan to reopen city facilities and operations over a 60-day period starting July 5. According to the city's news release, the plan outlines protocols for social distancing, enhanced hygiene and sanitizing procedures limited personal contact and other safety measures. The council is set to adopt the plan at its June 23 meeting. “South Fulton citizens are battling a colossal challenge – an invisible enemy that has tested each of us and our livelihoods on a daily basis,” said Mayor William “Bill” Edwards. “But, overcoming challenges to create opportunities is something we’ve learned to do well, especially during this pandemic.” “We have shown we are able to move forward in the greatest of adversity, while maintaining the high...

Mayor William “Bill” Edwards plans to speak with South Fulton residents during a virtual chat later this week. Edwards will team up with City Manager Odie Donald II and new Fulton County District Health Director Dr. Lynn Paxton to answer questions and share COVID- 19 updates, city activities, new projects and upcoming events. The virtual town hall, the second of the year for Edwards, will take place on Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m. Residents can tune in via the city's YouTube channel. “We have overcome great challenges as a city in our first three years and COVID-19 is no exception,” said Edwards. “I encourage residents to join us virtually to learn about our response and hear the steps Fulton County officials are taking to combat the virus.” Residents can submit their questions ...

Three years and one day ago, residents gathered at Banneker High School to witness history. South Fulton’s first-ever city council was sworn in to uphold the rules of governance that would go into effect at midnight. It was a pivotal moment in a multi-year battle for self-determination, but also the beginning of a strenuous uphill climb. And despite the optics, for the most part, city leaders and residents have been up to the challenge. For all of South Fulton’s woes, which haven’t been much different from those faced by other new cities, there have been far more wins. Thinking of a Master Plan At the onset, elected officials and staff mounted a major effort to transition employees, services and assets from Fulton County in just two years. While it was often a contentious proc...